IWP alumnus Brendan Steinhauser (’13) is now an adjunct professor at St. Edward’s University in Austin, where he teaches Political Science and Global Studies.
This semester, he is teaching a course called Global Issues. According to Brendan, this course is “a sweeping survey of world geography, world history, economics, international affairs, and regional studies.” He adds: “I am covering this wide array of topics in order to lay the foundation for my students to have a deep understanding of global issues.”
Brendan is a partner at Steinhauser Strategies, a public relations, government affairs, and political consulting company based in Austin, Texas. With more than a decade of experience organizing political and advocacy campaigns, Brendan has worked in 40+ states and has served as Senator John Cornyn’s campaign manager. While he was still a student at IWP, he was recognized by Time magazine as one of “40 Under 40 Rising Stars.”
These professional experiences inform his teaching in the classroom. He comments: “My firm helps candidates, nonprofits, businesses, and associations build their brands, grow their networks, and increase their influence. My professional work puts me in daily contact with U.S. Senators, Representatives, Governors, national trade associations, and foreign political dissidents. My understanding of global issues is based not only on my academic studies, but on years of behind the scenes observations from working with policymakers, interest groups, and political activists.”
He also brings lessons from IWP to his students at St. Edward’s. He says:
“My M.A. in Statecraft and International Affairs from IWP has been instrumental in my teaching. I have drawn on many of the courses I took while I was a student at IWP, including international relations, geography and strategy, public diplomacy and political warfare, the art of diplomacy, and the history of American foreign policy.
“Also, IWP’s focus on the Western moral tradition and history has informed my approach to teaching undergraduate students at St. Edward’s University. I try to impart a deep understanding of geography, history, and economics, as they relate to political science and global studies. I think it is important for my students to understand how these disciplines fit together, and how they constantly impact each other. That is something that I learned and applied as a student at IWP, and I am glad that I can now put this knowledge to use as a professor.”
Learn more about Brendan’s time at IWP
Watch a lecture by Brendan on “Strategic Communications Lessons for Grassroots Movements”